Hello,
It would be really great if everyone here could just post one or a few pictures showing the current state of their house.
I'll start right away.
For renovations, it’s best to provide a comparison of before and after the remodeling.
Before March 2014:
After May 2015:
It would be really great if everyone here could just post one or a few pictures showing the current state of their house.
I'll start right away.
For renovations, it’s best to provide a comparison of before and after the remodeling.
Before March 2014:
After May 2015:
Metalwerner schrieb:
Hello everyone,
I’d like to contribute as well. We are building a KFW40 energy-efficient house in Lower Bavaria. Bauhaus style, with a green flat roof. We’re working with an architect who manages the trades based on our decisions. Our main focus was to have as much window area as possible facing west, as that side offers an unobstructed view of the sunset. The location is protected from development; otherwise, we wouldn’t have chosen this design.
Construction started at the end of July. The basement is nearly complete, as is the elevator shaft. The builder is currently working on the wastewater pipes and the garage foundation. The living area is about 190 sqm (2,045 sq ft). We are installing an air-to-water heat pump, and on top of that, a photovoltaic system as large as possible. Looking forward to an active exchange, and if you have any questions, just ask. Best regards, WernerYou are probably installing a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, right? If so, I highly recommend planning the outside air intake as a ground heat exchanger with a mushroom-shaped air intake, positioned far away and outside the main wind direction due to the adjacent farmland. We have the same situation: an unobstructed view to the west with farmland right at our property boundary. I specifically told the farmer to call me when harvest time approaches so I could observe it. The dust generated during the harvest is enormous and definitely not to be underestimated! You absolutely don’t want that dirt clogging the filter of the mechanical ventilation system! After seeing this, it was immediately clear that only a ground heat exchanger with a mushroom-shaped intake placed in a well-protected, low-wind spot makes sense. Our ventilation room’s outside air intake would have been on the north side, right where the dust from the west would pass by and get drawn in!
winnetou78 schrieb:
Is all of this without curbstones?The edges without curbstones are supported in concrete.
winnetou78 schrieb:
But I like the paving.Diephaus via patio, 6 cm (2 1/3 inches) concrete pavers with fossil limestone look. 17.50 square meters (188 square feet) including tax.
I owe you an update. The IKEA kitchen including assembly cost 4850. That’s a story in itself, and it’s called Hermes assembly service. The kitchen was ordered on June 29th and assembly was scheduled for August 17th. Delivery took place on August 14th. So, Hermes knows how to deliver—that’s their core business. On time, and nothing missing.
Then came August 17th. It got later and later into the afternoon. Nothing. Around 1 p.m., the assembler finally showed up. He was alone, in a really bad mood, and supposed to install the entire kitchen by himself. Right away, he said he wouldn’t finish. He worked hard until almost 7 p.m. and completed about one third. Then I said, stop, you’re done. I could tell whatever happens now will only make things worse. He gratefully packed up and documented that follow-up assembly was necessary, saying someone would call me. No, he couldn’t give me his number but said he was obliged to collect the $859 assembly fee today anyway. Something like... I didn’t want to give him my bank card, so he filled out a direct debit form which I signed.
A few days later his manager contacted me and said the work would continue on August 31st, this time with two people, something about lunchtime start, expecting to finish by 5 p.m. But on August 31st I only got a call saying nothing could be done because they wouldn’t be finished at another job before 6 p.m., and then the crew would have finished for the day. September 5th was offered instead, starting at 9 a.m. Okay, whatever. What’s done is done. But really the same team, not some other people please. Yes, the same. Today at 10 a.m., both showed up. Again, great mood like a funeral. They promised to finish here by 2 p.m. and then go to Kiel for a few cabinets. I got the feeling they were just being rushed, pressured, and offended. I made them coffee and put out a roll for them. Guys, this has to be finished today, and if you need until 4 p.m., that’s okay. Properly finished, what is your manager going to do? Fire you? Then he has none.
Well, they worked but you could feel the pressure. Can’t we have the wall panels without a frame? That looks better! No, it doesn’t. And the end panel? Isn’t necessary. Yes, it is. I can’t get the cooktop connected, the cable doesn’t fit. Electrician needed. That’s true, but he wasn’t very creative about possible solutions either. The dishwasher keeps tripping the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). So? Is it the outlet or the appliance? No idea. Okay, let’s get a cable reel, I said. They don’t have one. But I have one. So we plugged it in through the hallway socket with the reel. Oh, it works. That’s the right outlet.
It went on like this constantly. Same with the range hood. The top finishing part didn’t fit. I went up the ladder myself. Why not? Of course, it works. He didn’t like that. So, he installed it after all. Honestly, I’m still angry at the crew. Tips for you? No, no. At 5 p.m. they left. Finished with great effort. One was a really good carpenter; everything looks straight and fitting. He was a bit more motivated. The other I could have done without. A lot was left over. Still in original packaging. Too many handles, too many trims, etc. I packed it in my car, drove to Lübeck at 6 p.m., and returned it. Got 166 back. At least that.
I told the woman at IKEA service about my experience. I’m not the only one. That’s why since late summer IKEA has parted ways with Hermes. Now the remaining work is still with Hermes, and their motivation is even worse. Is it finished? Yes, I say, except for the stove connection. My electrician will do that on Friday anyway; he also needs to check the outlet at the dishwasher because something’s wrong there.
So, all’s well that ends well, kitchen installed, Hermes—forget it. Photos. Karsten
Then came August 17th. It got later and later into the afternoon. Nothing. Around 1 p.m., the assembler finally showed up. He was alone, in a really bad mood, and supposed to install the entire kitchen by himself. Right away, he said he wouldn’t finish. He worked hard until almost 7 p.m. and completed about one third. Then I said, stop, you’re done. I could tell whatever happens now will only make things worse. He gratefully packed up and documented that follow-up assembly was necessary, saying someone would call me. No, he couldn’t give me his number but said he was obliged to collect the $859 assembly fee today anyway. Something like... I didn’t want to give him my bank card, so he filled out a direct debit form which I signed.
A few days later his manager contacted me and said the work would continue on August 31st, this time with two people, something about lunchtime start, expecting to finish by 5 p.m. But on August 31st I only got a call saying nothing could be done because they wouldn’t be finished at another job before 6 p.m., and then the crew would have finished for the day. September 5th was offered instead, starting at 9 a.m. Okay, whatever. What’s done is done. But really the same team, not some other people please. Yes, the same. Today at 10 a.m., both showed up. Again, great mood like a funeral. They promised to finish here by 2 p.m. and then go to Kiel for a few cabinets. I got the feeling they were just being rushed, pressured, and offended. I made them coffee and put out a roll for them. Guys, this has to be finished today, and if you need until 4 p.m., that’s okay. Properly finished, what is your manager going to do? Fire you? Then he has none.
Well, they worked but you could feel the pressure. Can’t we have the wall panels without a frame? That looks better! No, it doesn’t. And the end panel? Isn’t necessary. Yes, it is. I can’t get the cooktop connected, the cable doesn’t fit. Electrician needed. That’s true, but he wasn’t very creative about possible solutions either. The dishwasher keeps tripping the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). So? Is it the outlet or the appliance? No idea. Okay, let’s get a cable reel, I said. They don’t have one. But I have one. So we plugged it in through the hallway socket with the reel. Oh, it works. That’s the right outlet.
It went on like this constantly. Same with the range hood. The top finishing part didn’t fit. I went up the ladder myself. Why not? Of course, it works. He didn’t like that. So, he installed it after all. Honestly, I’m still angry at the crew. Tips for you? No, no. At 5 p.m. they left. Finished with great effort. One was a really good carpenter; everything looks straight and fitting. He was a bit more motivated. The other I could have done without. A lot was left over. Still in original packaging. Too many handles, too many trims, etc. I packed it in my car, drove to Lübeck at 6 p.m., and returned it. Got 166 back. At least that.
I told the woman at IKEA service about my experience. I’m not the only one. That’s why since late summer IKEA has parted ways with Hermes. Now the remaining work is still with Hermes, and their motivation is even worse. Is it finished? Yes, I say, except for the stove connection. My electrician will do that on Friday anyway; he also needs to check the outlet at the dishwasher because something’s wrong there.
So, all’s well that ends well, kitchen installed, Hermes—forget it. Photos. Karsten
I was lucky with my team from MyHammer. They had a positive customer review for IKEA kitchen assembly every 3-4 days on their profile. Plus, they were significantly cheaper than the IKEA assembly service and finished in no time. There were some minor issues here and there, but only as part of a summary after the work was done, likely to increase the tip.
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